Quiet New Bedford street rocked by gunshots and a homicide Saturday night

Monday

Nov 25, 2013 at 12:01 AMNov 25, 2013 at 5:58 AM

NEW BEDFORD — About 16 hours after a 31-year-old New Bedford man was shot and killed in the South End, dried blood and remnants of police tape remained.

AUDITI GUHA

NEW BEDFORD — About 16 hours after a 31-year-old New Bedford man was shot and killed in the South End, dried blood and remnants of police tape remained.

Police received calls reporting gunshots in the area of Winsor and Crapo streets around 11:45 p.m. Saturday. On arrival, police and rescue personnel located a male victim lying on Winsor Street, near the intersection. He was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

He said the shooting happened near his house late Saturday but said "I was sleeping so I didn't hear anything."

The victim was later identified as Sharone Stafford, 31.

"We strongly believe this is not a random act," said Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for Bristol County District Attorney Samuel Sutter.

New Bedford police, Massachusetts State Police detectives and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating the homicide and no further information was available.

Several residents who did not want to be identified told The Standard-Times that the victim was apparently shot halfway down the middle of Winsor Street, ran toward Crapo Street and collapsed before the intersection.

Remnants of police tape tied to the fence of 45 Winsor St. blew in the wind on a chilly Sunday afternoon and some dried blood splatters with caked leaves remained outside 80 Winsor St. on the quiet street.

Rodrigues said the neighborhood is quiet and they have not heard of any violent incidents there before.

Several other residents reluctant to comment on the record told The Standard-Times Sunday they heard the shots or were woken up by police sirens.

The State Medical Examiner's Office has taken custody of the body and will perform an autopsy to determine cause of death, The investigation is being coordinated by Co-First Assistant District Attorney William McCauley and Assistant District Attorney Robert Kidd, according to the DA's release.